Death Of Well-Known Maori Resident Of Bay, Mr Petera Matahaere

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 98, 14 November 1947, Page 4

Death Of Well-Known Maori Resident Of Bay, Mr Petera Matahaere

The death has occurred at Pupuaruhe Pa, Whakatane, of Mr Petera Matahaere, aged 58, a well-known resident of Motiti Island for many years. Possessing a genial personality; and a leader and elder 'of the Patuwai-Ng'atiawa tribes, Mr Matahaere was a familiar figure in the Bay of Plenty, and will be mourned by a host of friends in pakeha and Maori circles.

He was essentially a man of the land, producing, on a large scale, maize and kumara at Motiti Island. More recently he was engaged in dairy farming at Whakatane. Mr Matahaere was also a leader of mutton bird expeditions to White Island and Whale Island. In his younger days he was a prominent Rugby player. Marking his memory, tangis were held at Paroa and Pukehina Pas, and were largely attended by friends from Gisborne, Rotorua, Tauranga, Te Puke, Whakatane and Katikati, Motiti Island being particularly well represented. The burial was conducted at Pukehina Pa by the Rev. Rangiaho (Anglican minister, of Maketu), assisted by the Rameka Hoete and E. Matahaere, - of Motiti. Mr Matahaere -leaves a widow and three sons: Witere (Gisborne), Petera (Whakatane) and Eddie (Motiti).